“Unjudge” & learn with Human Library today in Fishers

By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com

Human Library? You might think it’s the latest straight-to-streaming horror flick … but you’d be wrong.

An international nonprofit, the Human Library has been hosting personal encounters since its original event that took place in Copenhagen for four straight eight-hour days in the spring of 2000.

Public libraries in Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, and Muncie have hosted Human Library events within the past several years.

Now, in keeping with its goals to celebrate diversity and promote civic conversations within the community, Hamilton East Public Library in Fishers is following in those steps by inviting guests to check out the Human Library from 1 to 4 p.m. today, July 15.

The event offers patrons ages 18 and older the opportunity to “unjudge someone” by having a conversation with a person who has faced stigmatization, bias, and prejudice. In a safe space, “readers” can “borrow” a “human book” for 20 to 30 minutes in order to learn more about diverse populations. During that time, participants are encouraged to set aside preconceived ideas and to listen to the lived experiences of a person they might have otherwise never met. Difficult questions will be expected, appreciated, and answered.

Attendees can choose one “human book” or more than one from a selection that might include Alcoholic, Asian-American, CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), Jewish, Neurodiverse, or any number of other “titles.”

Registration is recommended but not required, and the event will be held at HEPL Fishers, located at 5 Municipal Drive. To find out more, visit hepl.lib.in.us/hepl-hosts-a-human-library or call (317) 579-0300.